Prime Minister Weighs Voluntary Transition After By-Election Setback

The prime minister is weighing his political future after a challenger won a recent by-election and pressure mounted inside his party for him to set a departure timetable. A cabinet ally told the BBC the prime minister spoke with him on Friday and is considering political realities.

The ally said every decision would reflect the country's best interests and that he did not want to ignore forces challenging the prime minister as party leader.

Trump posted on social media that the prime minister will resign and accused him of failing on immigration and energy policy. Trump repeated calls to open North Sea oil development and said he wished the prime minister well. No. 10 told the BBC the two leaders had not spoken over the weekend. The prime minister last met the U.S. president at a G7 summit in France the previous week.

Other ministers have urged the prime minister to set out a timetable for departure, according to the BBC. Scores of lawmakers have publicly called for him to resign immediately or announce an exit plan. The potential challenger is expected to travel to Westminster on Monday to take his seat in Parliament.

Allies of the challenger urged the prime minister to reflect over the weekend and listen to cabinet ministers, lawmakers, and family. " — Jess Phillips, former safeguarding minister A former health secretary said any leadership contest should involve a battle of ideas over the party's future direction.

The former safeguarding minister said the party must find a way to question what comes next even if it does not lead to a full-scale contest. The 2020 leadership race that installed the current prime minister took six weeks. Some lawmakers have expressed concern that a similar contest could damage the party's prospects and create uncertainty for markets.